What treatments are available for fluid on the knee?

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The treatment options for fluid on the knee can include pain killers, steroids, antibiotics, removal of the fluid through aspiration and surgical procedures like arthroscopy and replacing the knee joint when it is badly damaged, as stated by Mayo Clinic. Treatment options are dependent on the specific symptoms and the cause for fluid buildup in the knee. Some causes of knee effusion are different types of arthritic conditions, cysts, bursitis, knee joint infection and trauma.

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Knee effusion is the term used for water on the knee. When an injury or an underlying condition like osteoarthritis affects the knee, the result can be symptoms like inflammation and a buildup of water in the knee joint. Depending on the cause for knee effusion, there can be different symptoms. For example, osteoarthritis can cause pain in the knee, asrelated by Medical News Today. Another symptom may be stiffness in the affected knee.

Osteoarthritis is a main cause of fluidon the knee, according to the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Osteoarthritis can cause the wearing away of cartilage of the knee joint. To treat the symptom of pain in osteoarthritis, over-the-counter pain medicine is atreatment option. If the knee effusion is caused by an infection, then antibiotics may be used, asreported byMayo Clinic. Many cases of knee effusion may require the removal of the fluid through needle aspiration followed by a steroid injection to reduce any swelling in the knee. Knee replacement is a surgical option in cases where there is damage to the joint.